Actor and social media influencer Riva Arora has finally addressed the persistent rumors and trolling surrounding her appearance. Over the years, Riva has often found herself at the center of online speculation, with many accusing the young star of having undergone cosmetic enhancements such as lip fillers and other aesthetic procedures. Now, the 19-year-old has directly responded to the chatter in a candid and creative way.
On Thursday, Riva took to her Instagram handle and shared a heartfelt yet sassy reel that stitched together a series of images from her childhood alongside her current glamorous photos. The video, designed like a visual timeline, also featured screenshots of harsh comments from trolls — with phrases like “plastic,” “you’ve definitely had lip fillers,” and “nakli (fake)” — all of which questioned the authenticity of her looks.
But rather than shy away from the negativity, Riva offered a classy clapback through her caption, confidently writing: “Genes so good people think I got surgery.” The post sent a wave of support flowing in from fans and followers, who flooded her comment section with positivity and admiration for her graceful handling of the criticism.
Several fans complimented her natural beauty and youthful charm, calling her “adorable” and “doll-like.” One fan commented, “Young Riva is just as charming. Like a living doll.” Another wrote, “You are so cute! People need to stop with the jealousy,” while someone else added, “Not even a fan, but seriously — people can’t handle genuine beauty anymore! Keep shining, girl.”
Riva, who began her journey in the entertainment world at a very young age, has gradually built a reputation not just as a talented actor, but also as a popular digital creator with millions of followers. Despite her young age, she’s no stranger to the harsh glare of the spotlight and the sometimes unkind scrutiny that comes with fame.
Recently, Riva also made headlines for an entirely different reason. The actor was honored with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree, recognizing her influence and contributions to digital media as well as her efforts toward women’s empowerment. Proudly sharing a picture with her certificate, Riva celebrated the milestone on social media, receiving even more applause from her fans.
Beyond her online fame, Riva has left a notable mark in Bollywood as well. She has played supporting roles in a string of successful films. She charmed audiences as part of the cast in Vicky Kaushal’s war drama Uri: The Surgical Strike, and was also seen in Salman Khan’s Bharat, where she portrayed the younger version of Disha Patani’s character, Radha. Additionally, Riva earned praise for her role in Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, starring Janhvi Kapoor, which focused on the inspiring journey of India’s first female combat pilot.
Most recently, she stepped into the world of television with Ektaa Kapoor’s popular series Power of Paanch. The show, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in January 2025, ran for a successful 50-episode stretch and featured a talented ensemble including Jaiveer Juneja, Aditya Arora, Anubha Arora, Bianca Arora, Yash Sehgal, Barkha Bisht, and Urvashi Dholakia.
Despite her growing career and achievements, Riva continues to deal with internet trolls who, it seems, struggle to believe that her striking looks are the result of genetics rather than cosmetic intervention. But with her latest post, the young star has made it clear: her confidence is unshaken, and her success is built not only on her appearance but on her hard work and talent.
For now, it looks like Riva is determined to rise above the noise, focusing on her craft while using her platform to inspire and empower her fans — all while embracing her natural self.
